NEW PORTLAND – Maine animal welfare officials say nearly four dozen dogs have been seized from two homes in New Portland where they were caged.

The 46 dogs, mostly medium-size and mixed breeds, were discovered after an anonymous complaint last week. They were malnourished, matted with feces and affected by fleas, mange and worms.

They have been turned over to shelters.

The dogs’ former owner moved last fall and left them to a caretaker. But Director Norma Worley of the state Animal Welfare Program said the animals were probably living in poor conditions before the caretaker became responsible for them.

Worley called the situation “a disaster.” She’s not releasing the caretaker’s name.